The law requires that passports should be brought by the
emigrants from a Mexican consul, and this must be done— The
government has ordered most positively that the 13th article of the
State constitution shall be rigidly inforced, and I am of the opinion
that Texas will never become a Slave state or country. I will be
candid with you on this point, and say that I hope it never may.

You will recollect that the 13th Article above alluded to is in
these words— No person shall be born a slave in this state, after
the publication of this constitution in the capital of each district,
and six months after the publication of this constitution, the
introduction of Slaves shall not be permitted under any pretext. The
constitution was published in may 1827. Since then the
legislature has passed a law guaranteeing contracts, (not contrary to the
laws of this state) made in foreign countries, so as to permit
families to bring the necessary and indispensable house servants and
labourers. This provision will be highly useful to the country
without the least danger of doing any harm for no one will be
willing to risk a large capital in negroes under contracts with them,
for they are free on their arrival here, and can only be held to
labour by contracts, as servants are all over this nation, and in
other free countries.

In the commencement of this settlement, I was in favour of the
limited admission of slaves—- My reasons were, the difficulty of
procuring hands in the beginning for the necessary purposes of farming,
and the necessity of holding out inducements that slaves might be
brought, in order to give the settlement a start, and to draw
emigration, a truly difficult thing to do at that time. It was an up-hill
business to get a settlement under way by any means, in the midst of
an entire wilderness infested with hostile Indians. The reasons for a
partial toleration of this evil, have now ceased, and the true
prosperity and happiness of Texas require; that an everlasting bar should
be interposed to the farther introduction of slaves. Those already in
the country, are to be slaves for life, unless purchased by
government, and freed in that way. This is just—-for the law permitted
their introduction. Their descendants are, of course, free—
Measures have been taken to exclude free negroes and Mullatoes, not
indented servants; so that there is no danger of being crowded with
that class, which is probably a worse nuisance than slaves. I cannot
believe that any reflecting man, either in Texas or out of it, can
seriously wish that slavery should be entailed upon this country.

To those who do not reflect, I would say, u take your pen-—put
down the number of slaves now in the slave states—calculate their
increase for eighty years at the known ratio of augmentation—
Calculate the extent of country to which they are, and must be confined,
and its capacity to support human beings—- Then calculate the
number of white population and their increase-—deduct from said
increase, the emigration of whites to other countries; (no such
deduction can be made from the increase of blacks, for they cannot
emigrate,) compare the two sums, and then suppose that you will be
alive at the period above mentioned, that you have a long-cherished
and beloved wife, a number of daughters, grand daughters, and
great grand daughters;—would no fears for their fate, a horrible
fate; intrude themselves upon your pillow, and overcloud the evening
of your life???—

If Texas is wisely and prudently managed, it will be saved from
the overwhelming ruin which mathematical demonstration declares
must overtake the slave states; and the white population will find
within the Mexican limits a refuge; without being driven to the
frozen regions of the north. To talk to some of the slave holders
about justice, humanity, etc, would be talking to a deaf man, but I
will not believe that any one can look on the future which the above
calculation presents, without shuddering—

The colonists in Texas have been well and munificently treated by
this Gvt and are satisfied and contented with their situation— the
most undisturbed harmony and tranquility prevails through out all
Texas— Genl Teran is shortly expected on here with some troops
and some evil minded persons have circulated reports that his object
is to oppress the colonists— Those reports are without any real
foundation in truth, and have no effect here, but as rumor flies on the
wings of the wind it may waft them to you—but pay no attention
to them— those who bring their families here, and can produce
evidence that they belong to a contract on colonization which is in
legal opperation, and who can also bring unequivocal evidences of
good character, have nothing to fear—